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Dialogue Between
Hazrat Ali (a.s) And Archbishop (During the administrative period of First Caliph) Abstract from
Jasaleeq Salman e Farsi (Mohammadi) English Translation by
Sanjeedeh Abedi
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In the name of Allah the most Beneficent, the most Merciful
Dialogue between Hazrat Ali (a.s) And Archbishop (During the administrative period of first Caliph)
Had not Amir ul Mo’mineen Hazrat Ali (a.s) been defended
Islam on that day, with his infinite knowledge Islam would
have been extinct. –Salman e Farsi (r.a)
One of the most widespread scholarly masterpieces of
Salman e Mohammadi (Salman e Farsi, r.a) accessible
among us today is his book “Jasaleeq”. Jasaleeq is a Roman
word, means the Archbishop. The book “Jasaleeq” is a
compilation of historic debate & conversations between
Amir ul Mo’mineen Hazrat Ali (a.s) and the Roman Christian
Archbishop during the administrative period of first Caliph-
Abu Bakr. Following is the abstract of that historical
incident.
The most detrimental incident befell on Islam right after
succeeding the demise of prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s)
from this world, when two hundred spiritual intellectuals of
Christianity and Judaism approached the First Caliph, Abu
Bakr and started questioning him about the authenticity of
religion of Islam.
Salman e Farsi, (r.a) wrote in this book, on that day, had not
Hazrat Ali (a.s) been defended the religion of Islam, with his
infinite knowledge, it would have been totally extinct.
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That detrimental incident happened when the news
reached the emperor of Rome, Caesar, about the demise of
prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s) and the dispute among the
Muslims for choosing prophet’s successor in the city of
Medina. The emperor Caesar, thought, if Mohammad
(s.w.a.s) were among authentic prophets, he would have
appointed his successor in his epoch and not leaves upon
people to choose one, like all the preceding true prophets
did. Therefore, he questioned the authenticity of prophet
hood of Mohammad (s.w.a.s) and suspected in the
truthfulness of religion of Islam.
Therefore, he called in, religious scholars and intellectuals
and up -dated them about the turmoil that was going on in
the city of Medina after the passing away of the prophet
Mohammad (s.w.a.s). He then chosen a group of one
hundred well-informed religious scholars expressed his
suspicious thoughts to them about prophet Mohammad
(s.w.a.s) and Islam. Caesar advised them to go to Medina
under the guidance of an Archbishop to prove Christianity is
the true religion with debate, discussion and conversations.
According to other sources, this group, on its way to
Medina, stopped at Bayt ul Maqdas and informed Jewish
religious scholars the reason of their journey to Medina and
about its going on turmoil in the city of Medina. As a result
of it, additional one hundred Jewish scholars and
intellectuals accompanied with this group to find out the
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truth about Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s.) and religion of
Islam.
Salman e Farsi (r.a) was present in the prophet’s mosque,
on that Friday, when this group of two hundred religious
scholars of Christianity and Judaism entered the mosque in
search of the successor of prophet Mohammed (s.w.a.s).
It was a great display of visitors into the city and the
mosque but at the same time very worrisome. The leader,
an Archbishop, spoke to the Muslims and asked them to
guide him towards the Successor of prophet Mohammed
(s.w.a.s) since he needs to get some questions answered.
He also declared their inclination of acceptance of Islam if
convinced to be a true religion by debates, discussions and
dialogues.
Omar bin Khattab, was sitting adjacent to Abu Bakr. Upon
asking who is the successor of the prophet, Omar bin
Khattab pointed Abu Bakr as the leader and master after
the death of Prophet (s.a.w.s).
Archbishop turned towards Abu Bakr and asked “are you
the successor of the Prophet?
Abu Bakr said “no, I am not”.
Archbishop asked “who are you?”
Before Abu Bakr could reply, Omar bin Khattab said ”He is
the Caliph of Rasoolullah (s.a.w.s).
Archbishop asked Abu Bakr, is he the knowledgeable one,
who could satisfy the needs of people by answering the
questions without the help of others?
Abu Bakr said “no, I am not that Caliph”
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Archbishop asked “what is this position you are holding to it
and consider yourself the Caliph of Prophet? We have read
in our books this post and title is strictly for prophets and
their divine successors. The Almighty God nominated Adam
(pbuh) as His Caliph on the earth and told David (pbuh) that
“I have nominated you as my Caliph on earth”, has
Mohammad (s.a.w.s) given you this title?
Abu Bakr replied: No, but his companions selected me as
the successor.
Then the Archbishop said to Abu Bakr that he was not the
successor of prophet Mohammad (s.w.a.s), but a successor
of the companions. You are accepting that Prophet
Mohammad (s.w.a.s) did not choose you; of course, it is
against the Prophets’ divine tradition. No prophet ever
passed away without appointing his successor. It seems you
have voided prophet-hood of Mohammad (s.w.a.s) and also
turned away from the traditions of all prophets of God.
Salman e Farsi (r.a) was listening the conversation with full
attention. At this moment, the Archbishop turned to his
companions and said: It seems that Mohammad (s.w.a.s)
was not a true divine prophet from God but he was a
worldly administrator who ruled these Arabs by power of
sword. Had he a true prophet-hood from God, he would
have definitely nominated someone to succeed him, in the
same way as all other God’s true divine prophets have
done.
Salman e Farsi (r.a) narrates that archbishop got extremely
furious, irritated and addressed angrily to Abu Bakr: Shaikh!
You have confessed that the Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s)
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hasn’t nominated you as his successor instead you have
been chosen by people. Now I am asking you if God wants
us to follow according to people’s opinion then why He sent
so many prophets at all?
You have actually denied the mission of all the prophets by
your actions and you have affirmed that you do not need
any divine prophet thus you have falsified God and accused
your own Prophet (s.a.w.s). Therefore I find it necessary to
talk to you to know whether you have done this on basis of
faith and truth or due to ignorance, infidelity and lewd
aspirations!
Archbishop’s views worried caliph, signs of helplessness and
distress were exhibited on his face. Archbishop was excited
with the joy and finding himself victorious, frequently
shouted, O’ Shaikh, answer my question. There was a pin
drop silence both the Caliph and the Muslims in the
mosque. Abu Bakr was unable to answer and Muslims also
were dumb founded.
Archbishop announced to his own companions, that the
religion of these Muslims is not based on truth; to which
everyone from his group agreed. Archbishop then turned
to Abu Bakr and asked will he answer few more questions
to which Abu Bakr replied, yes.
Archbishop asked: Tell me who am I and what is my position
in God’s view.? And who you are and what is your position
in God’s view?
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Abu Bakr said: “I consider myself a believer, but I don’t
know my position in God’s view and in my view you are an
infidel, but I don’t know your position in God’s view”.
Archbishop said: “In my opinion you have ruined your faith
with infidelity and now you are unable to decide whether
you are on the path of truth or falsehood? On the other
hand, I believe in God after my initial denial and I am
completely satisfied about my position in my God’s view.
You have testified yourself about my salvation and your
own falsehood”.
Then the Archbishop turned to his companions again and
said: “My friends! be delighted, because this Shaikh has
testified your salvation”.
Then again turning towards Abu Bakr said: “O Shaikh! Tell
me if you are a true believer and I am an infidel, where is
your place in Heaven and where is my place in Hell?”
Abu Bakr, in search for answer, looked for the help from
people sitting nearby, but none could say a word to rescue
him out. Finally, after a long pause, in a trembling, weak
and frightened voice, replied: “I don’t know a place about
mine and yours in Heaven or Hell.”
Archbishop said: How dare you consider yourself successor
of Prophet Mohammad (s.w.a.s) when you have no
nowledge to answer people’s questions, instead, you
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depend on others knowledge. Don’t you have anyone more
learned and knowledgeable among you Muslims?
If God, has chosen your Prophet, as you Muslims believe,
then he wouldn’t have ruined his promise with the Almighty
God. He would have definitely not avoided to nominate his
successor. If anyone among you is wiser and more
knowledgeable with prophetic signs, then your religion is
true; otherwise you have cheated these people because the
ignorant has no right to lead.
Salman realized Islam was in grave danger Salman wrote, in his book “Jasaleeq” that, when I saw this
painful scene I felt Islam is in grave danger. I stood up
immediately and rushed towards the house of Moula Ali
(a.s) with the lightning speed, knocked his door. Requested
him to rush out. When Moula Ali (a.s) came out and saw my
worrisome face, enquired me why I am so worried. I asked
him (s.a), why he is at home? Islam of Prophet Mohammad
is totally ruined. After Prophet Mohammad (s.w.a.s) Islam
got damaged. Muslims have lost their dignity. I described
him all what was happening in the mosque. I requested
Moula Ali (a.s) to rush and rescue Islam.
Moula Ali (a.s) who is the trust of Islam, a great rescuer, a
problem solver, swiftly went to the mosque and sat next to
the prophet’s grave on the floor, addressing the Christians
said “ask me whatever questions you have. I have answers
for all your question”.
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Archbishop explained the primary reason of their visit and
his sorry experience with the knowledge of Abu Bakr. He
said Muslims have introduced this man (pointing to Abu
Bakr) as the prophet’s successor but we unfortunately
found him quite ignorant, so we are doubtful about the
truthfulness of the religion of Islam.
Moula Ali (a.s) addressing the Archbishop and his
companions said: I am the true successor of the prophet of
Islam and the interpreter of Holy book Qur’an. I know Islam
thoroughly in & out and I know its firm and ambiguous
verses, also its superseding and superseded verses. I do
have all the knowledge that is beneficial and guidance for
the entire humanity. Now ask me whatever you wish to
know about the past, present and future till the doom’s
day. O the great Christian scholar! I have entire knowledge
of Bible and Torah apart from the knowledge of Qur’an. The
holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) has enlightened and familiarized me
with all branches of existing knowledge. I am the Prophet’s
brother, cousin and son-in-law. My descendants and me are
the inheritors of his knowledge. We are the Ark of salvation
for the entire universe. We are like Noah’s Ark, whoever
boards on it has survived and whoever denies to board in,
has carried away by the violent waves and perished.
My descendants and me are like the “Hitta” entrance for
the Israelis. To our prophet (s.a.w.s) I am like Aaron to
Moses with the difference that after him no other prophet
will be sent. O Christian scholar whoever loves me is the
believer and whoever hates me is the infidel.
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Hearing these wise words, the archbishop was delighted
and turned to his companions and said: I swear by God! This
is the Individual who speaks with knowledge. I hope we will
achieve our goal and will find the real religion for which we
set out together.
Then he turned to Moula Ali (a.s) and asked: O the learned
scholar, tell me who am I and what is my position in God’s
view? And who are you and what is your position in God’s
view? Moula Ali (a.s) replied: I consider myself and in God’s
view a believer due to His blessings and grace, but you are
an infidel because you have violated your pledge with Him.
Archbishop asked: Where is your place in the Heaven and
mine in the Hell?
Moula Ali (a.s) said: I haven’t entered Heaven or Hell to
know mine or your place but as mentioned in the Qur’an,
concerning the good or bad people’s place in the hereafter;
Almighty has discussed with His Messenger (s.a.w.s) about
the distinct ranks and podiums in Heaven and regarding
infidels and sinful criminals. They will be sent to Hell, which
has, seven entrances specified each entrance for a type of
criminal or infidel.
Archbishop told his companions: Friends, our wish is
achieved and we have found what we were in search for.
O great intellectual! Tell me whether the Throne (Arsh)
carries Almighty or Almighty carries the Throne?
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Moula Ali (a.s) asked him: If you hear the correct answer
will you embrace Islam?
Archbishop promised: Yes, I swear by God! if you answer
our question accurately, all my companions and myself will
embrace Islam.
Moula Ali (a.s) said: Almighty carries the Throne and the
skies. He has stated in the Quran that Almighty prevents the
skies and the earth from clashing against each other.
Archbishop asked: O the learned scholar! Tell me where is
God?
Moula Ali (a.s) said: Above and beneath, in the north and in
the south, in the east and in the west and He is dominant
over all creations. Encompasses everyone everywhere. This
verse of Quran is a witness to my words. There is no secret
talk among three but God is their fourth, nor among five
but He is their sixth. God is with them even if less than that
or more and wherever they may be. Then on the day of
Judgement He will inform them about what they have done.
(Mujadeleh: 7)
Archbishop said: I swear by God! This scholar speaks the
truth with Divine grace and blessing exactly like Jesus (a.s),
other prophets and their successors who used to speak with
Divine grace.
O the wise intellectual! Let me know whether Heaven is in
this world or in the Hereafter and where these two, exist.?
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Moula Ali (a.s) answered: The world is situated in the
Hereafter and the Hereafter has circumambience over the
world. The Hereafter is the place of rest for life. It is as if the
person is sleeping and its soul is roaming. Our body dies but
our soul is eternally alive. Almighty said: The Hereafter is
the relaxing place of the life, if you comprehend. (Ankabout:
62)
Heaven and Hell are in this world. Dead person is buried
and lives therein. It may be either a garden- from the
heaven or may be a ditch from the ditches of Hell fire.
Then the Archbishop asked: O the great intellectual! Qur’an
states that The entire earth will be in His fist on the Day of
Resurrection and skies will be folded or scrolled in His right
hand (Zumar : 67). When such a thing will happen, where
would Heaven and Hell be located? Since they are under
the same earth and skies.
Moula Ali (a.s) asked for a piece of paper and pen. He wrote
“Heaven” and “Hell” on the paper and scrolled it and gave it
to Archbishop and asked to in scrolled it. He did.
Moula Ali (a.s) asked: Has the writing disappeared or
vanished?
Archbishop replied: No, it is, as it was.
Moula Ali (a.s) said: As the writings of Heaven & Hell did not
move, or relocated or vanished from the paper by scrolling
the paper, similarly Heaven and Hell won’t disappear by on
folding or scrolling of the skies.
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Archbishop said, O the great Scholar, it is mentioned in
Qur’an “All things shall perish except the face of God.”
What does it mean and what is its evidence? Moula Ali (a.s)
asked a nearby sitting Muslim to get some logs of wood.
When logs of wood came, he lit the fire in them. When the
logs were burning and flame was rising up in all directions,
Moula Ali (a.s) asked the Archbishop to show him the “face”
of the fire. The Archbishop said: I cannot specify, it could be
all over.
Moula Ali (a.s) said: Fire is one of the creations of God and
we are incapable to identify its face, so how could you label
the face of the Almighty when no eye can see Him nor mind
can comprehend Him. There is nothing like God and He is all
hearing and forbearing as is written in Qur’an (Anam, 103).
The Roman Archbishop embraced Islam
Archbishop was extremely fascinated by Moula Ali’s (a.s)
knowledge, explanation, discussion based on his convincing
logic and said: O the rightful Successor of the Prophet
Mohammad (s.a.w.s), you have satisfactorily answered all
my questions and I am guided to true path through you.
Then he recited the Kalma e shahadat.
He then turned to his companions and said: O my friends!
We have finally found the person we were in search of and
reached our goal. We should all obey him as our Amir and
trust him to be blissful, in this world and in the hereafter.
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Archbishop’s confirmation and acceptance of Islam was of
great significance according to Salma e Farsi (r.a), because
Salman had the knowledge & experience of church and
Christian teachings. He knew the status and importance of
an Archbishop that holds in Christian world. Salman e Farsi
very well knew the impact of embracing Islam by such a
high status Christian scholar in the Christian world.
In short, the Archbishop and all his companions embrace
Islam and they all believed Moula Ali (a.s) as the rightful
successor of Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s).
…..
This was the cheeriest moment for all the Muslims. They
were all rejoicing the blissful occasion. Even the radiant face
of Moula Ali (a.s) was further glistening with joy. He praised
God Almighty for this blessed moment and triumph for
Muslims.
Abu Bakr and his friends also exhibited their happiness,
partly for protecting them from further discredit and
embarrassment. They thanked Moula Ali (a.s) saying: Abul
Hassan, may Almighty reward you.
Salman e Farsi (r.a), wrote in his scholarly masterpiece, that
prior to leaving the city of Medina, these newly converted
Roman Muslims went to the residence of Moula Ali to meet
and say good-bye.
The leader of the group, Archbishop, now a converted
Muslim, told Moula Ali (a.s) that these Muslims have chosen
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a wrong person as the successor to the prophet. Their
wrongful action is similar to the action of Israelis who
destroyed themselves and deserve Hell.
He further straightforwardly offered Moula Ali (a.s), his help
to stay in Medina and fight for his successor-hood position
or would leave the city. They were willing to be at Moula
Ali’s disposal.
After long conversation Moula Ali (a.s) said: It’s not the right
time to fight. Prophet Mohammad (s.w.a.s) asked me to be
patient. You can return home. I will let you know when such
a time comes, whoever accompanies me then, will be
rewarded and whoever dies prior to, will be considered an
oppressed. They noticed, tears rolled down the cheeks of
Moula Ali (a.s). They also started crying on the helpless
situation of Moula Ali (a.s) prior to heading for their
motherland.
This debate and dialogue, which is a section of Salman e
Farsi (r.a) ’s book “Jasaleeq ”was authentically documented
in their books by many nominated Islamic scholars such as
Shaikh e Tusi in “Fehristh” , Shaikh e Najjashe in
“Mosanafeen and Mosannafat” , Shaikh Mohammad
Deylamie in “Irshad ul Quloob”, Ibn Babeveh in “Al
Tawheed” and Shaikh e Mufid in “Aamali” and Majlesi in
“Bihar ul Anwar”.
Late Majlesi in “Bihar ul Anwar” regarding the authenticity
of Salman’s book writes: The contents of this book varies,
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however the name of the book is “Jasaleeq and Amir ul
Mo’mineen”. Salman e Farsi is the third person and the
author who had documented the incident. Thus its
incident’s authenticity is evident. Author of “Qaamoos ur
Rijal” writes: A part of Salman’s book consists of this
discussion, and hence Salman’s name is recorded among
former authors of Islamic books. Ibn e Shahr Aashoob in his
book “Ma’alem ul Ulama” writes:
The first person who has written on Islam and compiled the
traditions was Amir-ul-Momineen Ali (a.s) then Salman e
Farsi r.a, then Abouzar Ghaffari r.a, then Asbagh Ibn
Nabateh r.a, then Abdullah bin Abi Ra’fay r.a and after
them Imam Zain-ul-Abedeen (a.s) wrote “Sahefeh e
Kamelah”.
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